From October 21 to October 24, 9th edition International Fair Agrokos & Drinks 2009 will take part in the most important economic event from the field of agro-business in the Republic of Kosovo and region.

A large number of exhibition companies from the Republic of Kosovo, region, other European countries, and Asia will take part in this important event, organized by Congress & Event Organization (CEO). CEO is a private Company, established on the year 2000 in Kosovo. "Now, a tradition and identity has established in the Republic of Kosovo, a specialized trade for the agro-business sector, and a very good chance of promotion efficiency," said CEO's Director Lulzim Krasniqi. He added that Agrokos 2009, known for high quality organization, will be a highest international character in the country and region. "With CEO's experience and organization of specialized international fairs in the Republic of Kosovo, good relations of cooperation with regions and European countries have been established," he states. CEO's examples of participation included promotional fairs organized and held in Slovenia, Germany, with other countries with a high future interest.

With some 60 percent of the population living in rural areas, and with the majority of these people working in the agricultural sector, Kosovo has a long tradition in this area. The arable land in Kosovo is considered to be of good quality. Combined with the temperate climate that prevails throughout the country, very good conditions for agricultural production exist. Due to a beneficial climate, natural conditions and/or soil composition, the environment in Kosovo offers suitable conditions to potential investors wishing to achieve high yields in various sub-fields of agriculture and livestock farming

Among the supporting institutions of this fair are AHK- German Chamber of Commerce in Skopje, Regional Chambers of Commerce, BDS (Business Development Support), CIBC (Center for InterBalkan Cooperation) located in Greece, USAID, and Raiffeisen Bank.

The Municipality of Skënderaj, Republic of Kosovo, has signed a contract with a Slovenian company "Technopolis" to build a business park. The foundation stone for the business park “Technopolis” was laid down about seventeen months ago in Skenderaj, with an 1.5 million Euros investment.

The municipal authorities of Skenderaj have pledged 19 hectares of land for this purpose. The project foresees the construction of 42 businesses which are expected to generate close to 2000 jobs.  The company has obliged to develop the project outlines and obtain a construction permit within 60 days, whereas the completion of the project is expected to be done in fifteen months.

"The completion of the project and and businesses will provide jobs and effectively lower the high unemployment rate in our city," stated the Mayor of Skënderaj, Sami Lushtaku. But Ylber Morina, Director of Urbanism and Environment of Skënderaj, explained that the construction will begin after 60 days; upon completion of project detailing and obtainment of the construction permit. "The whole procedure of setting businesses will also go through the investors and we hope that foreign investors will also bring businesses, including those in the Republic of Kosovo," said Morina.

The news of the signing of the contract, howsoever blithesome, was also surprising because the citizens of Skenderaj remember when the foundation was laid down seventeen months ago and has become nothing more since then, which was back in March of 2008. Yes, the project will create a lot of jobs and great opportunities, but the citizens still await the start of the construction, which is to start after Tehnopolis obtains the necessary means.

The construction of the business park has a history, where 4 to 5 years ago the location of the project was to be in the village of Marine, around 5 km from the city of Skenderaj. The current location now is in center city of Skenderaj, at the Jashari Square and Lower Kline.

The Kosovo Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI), Lufti Zharku, and Chairman of American Tourism Society (ATS), Phil Otterson, held a conference for promoting the Republic of Kosovo in the United States.

"We have excellent relations with MTI and this partnership will bring wide publicity for Kosovo in the United States. From now til October of 2010, we will give our energy and enthusiasm to the promotion of the Republic of Kosovo, " said Otterson.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Republic of Kosovo has a mission to create a more supportive environment for promoting and strengthening the tourism of the Republic of Kosovo in all areas, including the United States.
Zharku stated that MTI is working toward the 2010 annual event and the gathering of ATS members from different countries of the world to introduce the Republic of Kosovo and create more opportunities and cooperation in the business industry. "A peculiar emphasis is devoted to the promotion of the Republic of Kosovo's tourism and our participation in cooperating with various institutions and international associations, " said Zharku. He also stated that MTI has continued to work in formulating the tourism policy and make any necessary improvements or new ideas, which help improve the tourism sector.

Phil Otterson says that ATS places more emphasis on countries with tourism potential and believes that the excellent relations with MTI will make publicity for the Republic of Kosovo. "From now til October 2010, we will give our energy and enthusiasm to the promotion of the Republic of Kosovo, " said Otterson.

After two days of negotiations, the Republic of Kosovo Government and the Federal Republic of Germany signed the protocol of economic cooperation, marking a further step of deepening relations between both nations.

Germany has pledged 100 million Euros assistance to the Republic of Kosovo for the 2008-2009 period and the assistance this year is 42 million Euros, which meets the pledge. Of 100 million Euros, 56 million were allocated as a grant by the Government of Germany to the Republic of Kosovo, while the rest is a loan with easy conditions.

At the occasion, both parties promised that cooperation will continue in the future. The German Government has allocated 42 million Euros to invest in public infrastructure, energy, sustainable economic development, promotion of employment, public administration, and education.

The Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Kosovo, Ahmet Shala emphasized  this confirms as many times in the past, that Germany is a true friend of the people of Kosovo, of the new state of Kosovo. He pointed the joint cooperation to build the Kosovar Dream for a developed state and integrated into the European Union.

German Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo Hans Dieter Steinbach said this year marked many achievements since the signing of the previous agreement last year. According to him, many things have been accomplished and many are being done in Kosovo. The German Ambassador stressed that in the past 12 months has build an important partnership with Kosovo which has implemented the agreement signed last year and pledged further assistance to the Republic of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of the Germany Federal Government, Friederich Kitschelt, said that a cooperation between both Government deepening and with these talks confirms the pledge of further assistance by the Government of Germany in implementation of the agreement that was signed today.